Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana

RHS Plant Profile
Lueddemann’s moth orchid

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Lueddemann’s moth orchid Valeria Valkova
Lueddemann’s moth orchid Valeria Valkova
Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A small to medium-sized, evergreen, epiphytic orchid with bright green, oval leaves, up to 30cm long and 4-5cm wide. In spring and summer, upright or arching flowering stems up to 15cm long emerge from axils of leaves and short rhizome. Three to five, frangrant, waxy white flowers up to 5cm across with contrasting brown-purple bands and purple lip are borne in succession, lasting up to 2 months

Position

Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Phalaenopsis are a large genus of species and hybrid mainly epiphytic orchids. Short, upward growing, stem-like rhizomes with no pseudobulbs produce oval, fleshy mid to dark green leaves and flowers in branched racemes from the base of the leaves
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Philippines

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open bark-based orchid compost or mounted on cork bark, where sufficient humidity can be provided. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct mid-day sunlight or heating source. Ideal temperatures are around 17°C at night and 20 - 25 °C during day. Mist aerial roots regularly and water the plant when almost dry - pale, silvery roots are a good indication when to water. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the season. See Phalaenopsis cultivation for more details

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may produce sideshoots (keiki) which may be removed and potted separately into sphagnum moss when the new roots are at least 2cm long

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required. Cut back green flowered stem to lower node to encourage further flowering. Remove the flowered stems once yellow and dry

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Avoid watering centre of the leaf crown, to prevent bacterial rots